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Director's Note - January 2025
Happy 30th Anniversary! The Guild has achieved a true milestone. Most inspirational ideas never come to life and even fewer grow to become a national movement with a three-decade history of success! The Guild’s success story is particularly surprising because it is a true grassroots movement. From a spark of connection at a small gathering in 1995, all of you have created momentum and collective progress.
When the Guild wanted to provide plaques for our lifetime members, we knew just any old wood wouldn’t do. We needed wood from a well-managed forest. We needed to support sustainable industry. Sustainable Northwest Wood (SNW Wood) was an obvious choice.
Some of us learned in school that the Northeast’s forests were nearly ‘asbestos’ and wouldn’t burn. This view ignored the ecological evidence and Indigenous stewardship and failed to acknowledge the swiftly warming climate.
The first U.S. American Forest Congress was in 1882 and focused on tree planting in conjunction with the first National Arbor Day. Now we’re looking forward to the Nineth American Forest Congress this summer and a whole new set of challenges.
What an exciting time to be in the Guild and serving on the Membership and Policy Council! It is the Guild’s 30th birthday in 2025, and yet another year when the need for the Guild is obvious. Our forests are being challenged from every side. There are solutions, many of which we will learn from forests themselves, and the Guild is here to listen, understand, provide a voice, and work tirelessly for the future of forests and all who depend on them. Our MPChas identified a few ways they will contribute in 2025.
Tim Duclos, Audubon Vermont - National Audubon Society
Dorset, VT
Hunter Fodor, Hunters Land Management LLC
Coleman, MI
Chad Kirschbaum, USDA Forest Service
Eagle River, WI
Peter Nelson, Overstory Strategies
Bozeman, MT
Stephanie Perles, National Park Service
University Park, PA
Affiliate Members
John Henrikson, Wild Thyme Farm
Oakville, WA
Student Members
Sally Amer, University of Vermont
Burlington, VT
Della McEntire, Appalachian State University
Montreat, NC
Emily Odom, University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL
Ethan Ross, Oregon State University
Bellingham, WA
Clara Steinmetz, University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL
Notes
The Forest Stewards Guild community is celebrating 30 years together this year. The positive impact we've had is astounding. The challenges we face today and in the years to come are equally profound. As our thoughts and support are with those in California and elsewhere who are suffering from the effects of climate-related weather events and wildfires, we remain resolute in our determination to be part of the solutions. Thank you to all who help make a difference with us!
Let's bring back a proven campaign to prevent wildfires. Nearly 80% of wildfires in New Mexico are caused by human activity. While we can’t control lightning strikes, we can take proactive steps to reduce the number of fires sparked by careless human actions.
Check our full jobs page regularly for opportunities aligned to support healthy forests, communities, and ecosystems.
Our Supporters
The Guild depends on support from donors and members. Thank you for all you do to support our collective vision of ecologically, economically, and socially responsible forestry.
Stewards Circle Donors (new or recently renewed gifts)
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